Bharat Blockchain Yatra- 2024 Grand Finale Celebrates India’s Pioneering Role in Blockchain Technology

New Delhi, 23 October 2024: Information Data Systems Inc. (IDS) in collaboration with The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the National Education Technology Forum (NETF), and Anuvadini AI, hosted the Bharat Blockchain Yatra Grand Finale 2024 at the AICTE headquarters in New Delhi. This prestigious event convened prominent leaders, policymakers, Academicians and innovators from 18 states of India to celebrate the nation’s progress in blockchain technology and chart a future path for digital transformation.
Hon’ble Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan extended his best wishes to IDS in a formal letter, congratulating Information Data Systems (IDS) and the National Education Technology Forum (NETF) for successfully organizing the Bharat Blockchain Yatra grand finale in New Delhi. His recognition adds to the significance of this event, which is driving blockchain adoption and innovation across India.
AICTE Chairman, Prof. T.G. Sitharam, shared his insights, stating, “India has immense potential in emerging technologies. Young minds are eager to create value and address societal challenges.” He underscored AICTE’s efforts in introducing Data Science and Blockchain courses, reinforcing the nation’s need for a skilled workforce in these critical fields.
Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of NETF, commended the initiative, saying, “The Bharat Blockchain Yatra has demonstrated the power of collective vision in advancing technology for the nation. It is heartening to see the engagement of academia, industry, and policymakers coming together to build a robust blockchain ecosystem in India.
Shri Gaurav Singh, director from Ministry of Education, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour, stressing the pivotal role of education in the adoption of emerging technologies. “Initiatives like the Bharat Blockchain Yatra are crucial for capacity building in blockchain,” he said, emphasizing the importance of integrating technology into educational curriculum.
Mr. Chandrasekhar Buddha, Chief Coordinating Officer of AICTE NEAT, expressed his utmost satisfaction to support IDS in this pioneering initiative. “AICTE is proud to have partnered with IDS in this groundbreaking journey. I am especially thrilled with the launch of the Certified Hedera Developer Course by The Hashgraph Association, which will upskill thousands of engineering students and strengthen India’s blockchain ecosystem. My best wishes to THA for this impactful initiative.”
Stefan Diess, Co-founder of The Hashgraph Association, expressed his excitement for Hedera’s growing role in India’s blockchain ecosystem, stating, “India is at the forefront of blockchain innovation, and we at The Hashgraph Association are committed to supporting this vibrant ecosystem. Through our roadmap for India, we are proud to support upskilling of 50,000 engineering graduates as Hedera Certified Developers and provide critical resources to fuel growth. With a $100 million venture fund and support for over 250 Web3 projects, alongside 50+ academic partners, we aim to empower the next generation of blockchain innovators and build transformative solutions that will shape the future of technology globally.”
Sudharshan Reddy, CEO of IDS Inc., expressed his happiness and pride in organizing the successful nationwide journey of the Bharat Blockchain Yatra. “Our mission was to take blockchain technology to every corner of the country and foster collaboration between industry, academia, and government. I am proud of the impact we have made, engaging over 12,000 participants through 21 events. IDS remains committed to driving blockchain adoption and innovation in India,” he said.
Aravind Voruganti, Convenor of the Bharat Blockchain Yatra, highlighted the Yatra’s achievements, stating, The Bharat Blockchain Yatra, initiated under the Bharat Blockchain Network (BBN) on June 6, 2022, began its journey on August 6, 2023. This pioneering tech tour, focused on Web3 and Blockchain, traversed 18 states, engaging a diverse array of stakeholders from government, industry, startups, and academia. The Yatra aimed to discuss opportunities and challenges within the Indian blockchain ecosystem and succeeded in positioning India as a global leader in blockchain innovation.
Key highlights from the grand finale included:
• The launch of the Global Certified Hedera Developer Course, aiming to upskill 25,000 engineering students at no cost to academic partners.
• Grant distribution of up to ₹6 Crores to three winning startups (Credore, Ayanworks and OneWorks) from the Hedera India Hackathon 2024.
• Onboarding of 25 blockchain companies onto AICTE internship portal.
• Release of the Bharat Blockchain Ecosystem Report, showcasing India’s leadership in blockchain and Web3 sectors.
• Presentation of the Bharat Blockchain Academic Excellence Awards 2024, recognizing top universities for their contributions to blockchain education.
• Presentation of the Bharat Blockchain Industry Excellence Awards 2024, recognizing top companies for their contributions in blockchain space.
The Bharat Blockchain Yatra Grand Finale has set a new benchmark in India’s blockchain journey, accelerating the nation’s role in global blockchain leadership, and propelling economic growth and societal impact through cutting-edge technology.